Acts 2:1-4

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

My favorite season of the church year to get creative is Pentecost. I've seen church leaders do some really fun things for worship on that day. Balloons, streamers, liturgical dancers, and even fire.

I've been to workshops where we've painted watercolors representing Pentecost.

And to me, that creativity is so wonderfully representative itself of God's work on Pentecost. In fact, Pentecost I'd say is just further proof itself of the creative God we have.

A room of strangers don't even speak the same languages.

An invisible Spirit made manifest as fire, igniting understanding and kinship.

God's work igniting a new way of life.

A new understanding.

A new community.

Igniting hope from fear.

Understanding from enmity.

All from the same God who blew that Spirit over the waters to create life.

Pentecost happened in concert with the Jewish holiday of Pentecost (Shavu'ot). The 50th day.

The day of the first fruits of the harvest.

And the day Moses received the Torah.

All from a creative, active God.

In what ways can the church exemplify this same creativity? In what ways can we be a source of life and community and fruitfulness?

How can we enter into the flow of God's Spirit, alive and active with the igniting of the world? 

Lord of fire and Spirit, ignite in us creative hearts that will be ready to partner with you in the work you have prepared for us! Amen